Member Reviews

Goodreads:
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley, and I would like to express my gratitude to them and the author for providing me with an early copy. Although I received an ARC, the following opinion is entirely my own.

This delightful summer read offers the best of both worlds: a charming fantasy setting and an exciting adventure that will keep you engaged. With its lighthearted tone and thrilling moments, this book is a perfect companion for lazy summer days.

Moreover, it's worth noting that this book is not without its flaw. At times, the pacing feels rushed, preventing the characters from being fully explored and resulting in some shallowness. Additionally, their behavior can be cringeworthy, leading to a partial disliking of them. Unfortunately, the writing quality takes a downturn in the middle of the book, which is regrettable. Nevertheless, despite these issues, the book manages to deliver a cute and cozy romance.
In conclusion, despite some shortcomings, this book provides an enjoyable and enchanting reading experience, perfect for those seeking a cozy summer romance. While there are areas for improvement, the overall charm and whimsy of the story make it a worthwhile addition to your summer reading list.

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3.75 ⭐️ Rounded Up

Such a fun, lighthearted read with little stakes and an enjoyable storyline! With a little spice and a lot of magic, this is a great cozy read!

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I really enjoyed it yed the writing style, it was both silly and engaging. Unfortunately I did not finish the book. The whole plot point with Callen listing over 17 year old Aria just felt too uncomfortable for me to continue reading. If she had been 18 then it would have been fine but it just felt too wrong

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This was an easy read - but beyond vapid. A witch with problems using her powers moves away from her idyllic Cornish seaside town to try and make it on her own in London - it doesn't go well. Her gran comes to take her home to win a competition to inherit a magical garden - which obviously she does because her specific brand of magic is plant based. This appears to have been written by an American author - a lot of the spellings were the English US version rather than UK and autumn is referred to as fall. The place names were beyond cliched - Seaside Spells (magic shop owned by the family) Charming Cove (magical town where most of this is based) etc. The two main characters met each other once - and despite him being a playboy wizard billionaire he hasn't stopped thinking about the female lead in 8 years. There is no real drama to the story - everything is invented such as Aria's fall out with the rich dude for scaring off her grandfathers spirit "well I told him not to do that and why!" er no you didn't. There is no real competition to the contest taking place throughout the book and the romance is surface level and I couldn't care less whether these people get together or not! In fact all of the relationships in the book - family/friends/townspeople even that come into the story are skimmed over - there's no depth to anything in this book and I don't know what could possibly come in book two that anyone would care about enough to read?! Reads quick - good for a holiday when you want to turn off your braincells and have a cocktail while still holding a book I suppose.

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Thank you to the publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Aria was always a magical dud in a town full of magic and people capable of handling their magic. After leaving years prior to spare her family and neighbors from her explosive hold on her magic, she is forced to return after being evicted. Little did she know that the garden in her town that provides her family's potions shop with their rare ingredients is holding a competition to become heir and caretaker of the garden. Her grandmother convinces her to enter when her teenage enemy shows up to also stake a claim on the garden.

This book.... was not my favorite. I found the writing juvenile and overly simple. The dialogue between characters was lacking in so much substance and just completely non-realistic. While there were parts that captivated my attention, I found this book to be boring, tiresome, and overly positive, as in the outcomes were too simple and too nice. Aria was an ok MC, but Callan was a snoozefest, with no real personality at all. Needless to say I didn't like this book very much and could not get past the snoozy and juvenile writing. 2/5 stars.

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Thank you Netgalley and Boonie Doon Press for this ARC for my honest review! This is for sure a lighthearted comedic romance story and I’m here for it. First off, the best character in the book is a badger named Boris and he’s hilarious. Now on to the main characters I loved the fact that Aria struggled to come into her own powers and had her own insecurities. I wished the author had more growth in the romance, which to be fair there is, I just wasn’t enjoying the insta love aspect.

Other than that a great read, the world building was interesting and Charming cove literally sounds like it’s namesake. I myself would love to go there. The book cover too is gorgeous and what initially drew me towards the book. The book overall is very cute and cozy in general.

The competition for the Garden was both fun and intriguing and I loved the concepts of the magical creatures in the story. My only issues with the book was the insta love and how good at everything Aria was besides her initially being self doubting and insecure. Fantastic read nonetheless and I enjoyed it.

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I fell in love with the cover of this book and when reading the premise I was even more excited for a cozy magical rom-com. Based off the premise alone, I was expecting a fast-paced, witty, cute story but what I read seemed far from it.

The writing style of telling and not showing, along with grammar/spelling mistakes, threw me off the story and it was a struggle to finish the rest. The characters felt one-dimensional and a lot of clichés that reminded me of Hallmark Christmas movies. Also there was little explanation to the magical system of this world that left me with more questions.

I am only assuming that an editor will go back and fix the grammar and spelling mistakes, along with any repetitive passive-voice sentences. Because I believe there is a very cute romantic story here and just needs more polish.

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This book was absolute Magic! I was chuckling and saying "awe" all th3 way through.
The chemistry between Aria and Callen was electric and the progression from enemies to friends was very relatable for me.
Aria with her Gran made me miss and smile for my own. Every scene with Gran was a warm hug.
By the thief of this whole book is Boris IYKYK :)

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I enjoyed this book for the cute friendships, the amazing gardens and different magical places hidden within the human world, and just the fun fluff of reading a romance book.

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First off, thank you to NetGalley, Bonnie Soon Press, and Linsey Hall for an ARC of the first book in the Charming Cove series!

In this modern romantic comedy, Aria is the black sheep of her family (and town) by being a witch whose magic always backfires on her, which causes her to run away from her life. Before she knows it though, she’s dragged back to Charming Cove to compete in a magical competition that will save her family’s potion shop - as well as the entire town. As if that wasn’t enough pressure, she finds out one of her competitors happens to be Callan Hawthorne, the billionaire Witch Weekly’s Sexiest Man of the Year, and the man Aria has both hated and loved for years.

This was my first contemporary romance piece and it was so sweet and fluffy! While the beginning was a little slow, once it picked up it was fun and enjoyable to read. The characters are fun and witty and the setting is picturesque.

I loved the character development of Aria from having tons of self-doubt to becoming more confident in her abilities and I thought Callan was such a sweetheart in his adoration of her and his determinedness to win her over and help her. My favorite character, however, was Boris the badger, Aria’s familiar. His sassy one-liners constantly had me snorting and giggling and I honestly would love a whole other book just on him.

I do wish this book had more detail and expanded more on the characters and magic within the book and I wish there was more of slow burn/buildup of the romance and had a little more spicy detail (it felt very YA vs. adult).

All in all, this was a cozy and lighthearted read and I could see myself reading the rest of this series for a fluffy magical break from heavier books!

Read this book if you like
🔮Underdog FMC
🔮Sexy billionaire MMC
🔮Witty banter
🔮Sassy side characters
🔮Insta love
🔮Witches
🔮Romantic comedies

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This was great! Here comes Aria and her bonky magic and she has to take part in a contest to win the magical gardens in her town to save the shops...and one of the contestant is none other than the most powerful mage in the country, The guy she met years ago and had a crush on, until he did the unforgettable.

This was a lot of magic, a pet/familiar badger YES YES... and magic animals. This was great and really cute.
Why 4 stars and not 5?
2 points didn't quite make it for me :
- sex scene was ... meh...
- the final scene was a bit quick and too much "happily ever after" for me, didn't sound too realistic. Yes i know... realistic in a magical world... but still.
BUT, this is just my opinion, you might like it!
It was still amazing and I would definitely recommend.

*Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for access to the book against an honest review.*

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This was such a mixed bag for me - I loved the premise of it and was really in the mood for a more cozy read after some heavier books, and it certainly delivered on that point. However, I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing style at times, like the way in which we are thrust into the world of Charming Cove without much explanation behind the magical community and how they integrate into normal society, or Aria's backstory and her life before moving back home. I did enjoy the competition element and how in returning home to her loved ones they helped her when she needed it most. I didn't love Aria and Callan together as much as I would've liked to - I just felt the pacing was off in their transition from unrequited love to a full-blown relationship and it seemed unrealistically lacking in any complications.

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3.5 stars
So this was a quick and (mostly)fun read!
Basically, Aria is a witch who fled from her witchy home town because her powers are no good and everyone was mean to her. But there’s this competition because a local witch is retiring and needs an heir for his super cool and unique and expensive garden. For some reason, her family thinks Aria is the perfect person for this competition so she participates.
Callan is a super powerful witch (he’s also rich) and is also participating. Aria hates him but he’s totally obsessed with her.
You can see how it goes…

This is where it gets a little icky. Callan and Aria met a few years prior (8 or so?) when Aria was *17* and Callan in his early twenties. They meet and talk and sparks fly and he asks her how old she is, she says her age and he’s totally disappointed, but, thank god, doesn’t act on it.
Now, in the present, when we get his POV, he admits that he has a crush on her, and had one ever since she was seventeen!

Aria as a character was a little annoying and some of her choices and thought processes were frustrating. The present and legally aged characters did have some chemistry, though I must say that it was a bit weird how the book was written or what age category this falls in.
I feel like the book, on a comprehension level and what I would say the target audience would be, this should be Young Adult. It isn’t though, and there are some (I think 1 1/2) spice scenes in it. (If you want to read the book and don’t like spice, you can totally skip them). That left me a little confused. The ending was a bit predictable, but to be honest, with this book, I don’t mind. I read this mostly for a fun and fast paced read and some good witchy vibes and that was definitely delivered. Not a literary masterpiece but hun nonetheless!
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I received this book as a ARC (advanced reader copy) from NetGalley and am grateful for that. That fact does not change anything about this review and all my opinions are my own.

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"The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic" by Linsey Hall is a charming and delightful witchy romance that will capture your heart. Aria, a mid-twenties witch, returns to her small hometown of Charming Cove to compete in a contest and prove herself worthy of inheriting the coveted witch's garden. With relatable characters and a magical world that feels enchantingly real, this book is a perfect summer read. The sweet romance between Aria and Declan, a powerful warlock, adds warmth to the story, while well-developed supporting characters bring depth and charm. Although the ending felt a bit rushed, the overall experience of this cozy and easy read was highly enjoyable. If you're looking for a witchy and captivating book that is both charming and easy to dive into, I highly recommend "The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic" as a delightful addition to your reading list.

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The perfect witchy read for summer, this is a charming story that is well written and has relatable and well developed characters. The story itself is cute, cosy and highly entertaining and I would 100% recommend this to anyone whose looking for a feel-good, witchy romance!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and thr publishes for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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"The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic" by Linsey Hall is a charming and delightful read that will leave you wanting more. The book follows Aria, a mid-twenties witch who believes she has been cursed with explosive magic, returning to her small hometown Charming Cove at the behest of her grandmother, in order to enter a contest to prove herself worth of inheriting the premier witch's garden. The story is the perfect summer witchy read.

The book is well-written, with relatable and engaging characters. The author has created a magical world that is both enchanting and believable. It was easy to imagine this magical hamlet existing among the human world. The romance between Aria and Declan, a powerful warlock, is sweet and heartwarming. The supporting characters are also well-developed and add depth to the story.

Overall, "The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic" is a wonderful book that is perfect for fans of magical, witchy romance. I was won over by the characters and recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of a cozy witchy romance.

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This was a read that satisfied my green witch heart. I never knew what I was missing from a witchy romance that involved so many plants, until now.

Lindsey Hall creates a charming witchy romance focused around a competition to win ownership of the local magic garden of Charming Cove. Follow along as main character, Aria, stumbles out of her lackluster life in London and back into her home town to try and win - despite her haywire magic - whilst also trying to avoid her nemisis and the witch world’s hottest billionaire, Callan Hawthorne.

This book was the perfect amount of cozy and easy reading that I was striving for. The supporting characters - all knowing Gran, supportive bestie Tabitha, and sassy young witch Catrina - really added that extra spark to the charm of this book for me. Though the best sidekick, that stole the show on every page he made an appearance, may have been Boris, Aria’s food motivated badger familiar.

The one critique I have for this read is that the ending felt very abrupt to me. We went from the last challenge of the competition to announcing the winner much too quickly, so it felt rushed.

Overall, I highly enjoyed this read and recommend it to anyone that is looking for something witchy, charming, and easy to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Bonnie Doon Press for the ARC of this book.

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I thought that a magical world in the land of chick lit. would make this more interesting, but the magical world is not nearly flushed out enough, and the romantic relationship between the main characters was boring. The reason that Aria hates Callan could be solved with a simple, clear discussion. The magical elements were background to the romance, and the romance was just cringey.

I would recommend this for younger readers (who are able to deal with the mature relationship) because it's quick and easy. It's nothing special, but it's not terrible writing.

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This book was very cute & fun to read. The characters were pretty simple & the issues they faced were handled without too much suspense. Overall I enjoyed the story & thought it flowed pretty well & I liked all the magical creatures they brought in, especially Boris.

A couple of small things I would have enjoyed seeing a bit differently in the book were that we learned more about Callan’s past to add to his emotional depth & that Aria would have dealt with some of her issues a bit more boldly, instead of waiting for someone else to figure it out for her. Lastly, I do wish there had been a few less spelling & grammatical errors throughout the books, but overall it was very cute & I would recommend as a palate cleanser or beach read!

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OMG, guys! This book was absolutely delightful!!

It has humour, family/found family, romance and magical shenanigans!
It was so easy to read that I barely noticed time passing and before I knew it I was done!

It was a perfect, feel-good, cosy book.
It's not complicated and it's not deep. It lacks drama and there are no surprises. It was so soothing!

I'm a little disappointed that future books won't be about Aria and Callan but I look forward to reading more about the people of Charming Cove! Plus, I'm sure Aria and Callan will feature so we'll get an update.

If you're looking for a heart warming read with a sprinkle of magic then look no further!

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